ARLINGTON — The Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society will be busy showing off its new services and soliciting support during the month of July.

On Tuesday, July 10, the Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society will be providing a free presentation on how to use FamilySearch.org, from 1-2 p.m. at the Free Methodist Church located at 730 E. Highland Dr. in Arlington. Steve Baylor, an experienced genealogy teacher and researcher, will demonstrate how to explore the free FamilySearch.org website to perform name and catalog searches, in addition to addressing education and volunteer opportunities, as well as how to order microfilm. FamilySearch.org is one of the world’s largest genealogical research sites.

This presentation is tailored to meet the needs of beginning genealogy researchers and experienced researchers alike.  Plentiful parking is available in parking lots and handicapped places. Call 360-435-4838 for more information.

On Saturday, July 14, the Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society will conduct a garage and lawn sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 215 S. French Ave. in Arlington, next to the old Arlington High School.

In conjunction with its July 10 presentation by Baylor, the Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society is also pleased to announce that it is the newest FamilySearch affiliate library, which means that patrons of the Society’s library will have greater and more convenient access to the massive amount of genealogical resources available through FamilySearch. FamilySearch is the world’s largest repository of genealogical records and manages the well-known Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.

“As an example, FamilySearch has filmed more than 60 percent of the civil registration birth, marriage and death records of Italy,” said Shirley Case, publicity chair for the Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society. “If you have Italian ancestry, chances are you will be able to extend your Italian research by conveniently using the FamilySearch films through the Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society.”

Family researchers will be able to access the billions of birth, marriage, death, census, land and court records of genealogical significance from more than 130 countries by ordering film to be sent to the Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society at 215 S. French Ave. in Arlington for $5.50 a microfilm. Once the film arrives, patrons will be able to use the microfilm readers at the Society’s library to peruse it. Library staff can help patrons see what films are available, place film orders and answer research questions.

The Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society was founded in 1985 and obtained non-profit status a year later. Its library includes thousands of books, microfilm and microfiche sets, and Internet access to prepaid genealogy web sites. Its members have gathered historical information pertaining to the northern part of Snohomish County and the Stillaguamish Valley, as well as its native populations and early settlers. The collection also contains material for all U.S. states and many foreign countries. This information is available to members and visitors during regular library hours.

To speak to a live librarian, just call the Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society’s library at 360-435-4838 on Tuesdays from noon to 4 p.m., Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. At other times, you can leave a message, by phone or via email at svgs.wa@frontier.com, or visit its website at www.stillygen.org.